17 May 201904:40am IST

MAPUSA: Sesa Football Academy having already been promoted to next year GFA`s Professional League wrapped up their campaign with an impressive 1-0 win over Clube Sao Miguel De Taleigao to claim the the GFA’s-Geno First Division League title played under floodlights at Duler Stadium, on Thursday.

The all-important goal came in the first half through the boots of Olvin Cardozo who is Sesa’s highest goal scorer in the ongoing league with fifteen goals.

Sesa were up and running from the kick-off and in the 8th minute Olvin Cardozo could not keep his shot goal wards after a neat one touch build up play between Ashley Cardozo and Stephen Colaco.

In the 20th minute, Ashley found Laishram Meitei with a long ball who flashed the ball across the face of the goal but before any of the Sesa lads could get to it, Taleigao’s keeper Savio Pereira collected the ball.

Sesa kept marauding their rival goal and nearly took the lead but Caitano Viegas well struck shot hit the Taleigao’s defender and went out for a corner.

Olvin Cardozo scored a majestic goal to finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when he controlled a pass from Domnic Soares busted into the penalty box and let go a power packed left footer which crashed into the nets, 1-0. Joston Pereira almost got Sesa`s second goal five minutes later but despite his sliding attempt he could not get a touch to a dangerous cross delivered by Stephen Colaco inside the danger box.

Crossing end, Taleigao showed more urgency to get back on terms and had two back two chances first Newton Azavedo’s tried his luck from distance with a long ranger but it was tipped over the post by Sesa keeper Hansel Coelhon and minutes later Fanslam Shirvoikar’s shot from a goal mouth scramble hit the defender for a corner.

Sesa could have killed of the match with the second goal but first substitute Vishun Gosavi was unlucky to see his shot take a deflection off the Taleigao defender and then Olvin Cardozo deft placement was well stopped by the diving keeper Savio for a corner.

Geno Pharmaceuticals Chairman and Managing Director Dilip salgaocar Chairman was the chief guest and gave away the trophy to the winners in the presence of Dr Sagar Salgaocar executive Director of GENO, Annanya Agarwal President Sesa Football Academy, Sukhvinder Singh CEO Vedanta Football, Arjuna Awardee Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, GFA Vice President North Lavinio Rebello and other executive members.

Speaking during the occasion, Dilip Salgaocar congratulated the winners and thanked GFA for organising the league in a professional manner.

Sagar Salgaocar congratulated Sesa FA and wished them luck for the Goa Pro League and also thanked GFA for organising this tournament in a better way.

Annanya Agarwal also thanked GFA for organising the tournament and said, “The boys had an amazing season and I am proud of the entire team. Now we have lot of work to do to prepare ourselves for the Goa Pro League.”

SFA’s Olvin bagged the Man-of-the-Match award.

Earlier, GFA celebrated State football association’s President Churchill Alemao’s birthday at the venue by cutting a cake.

Meanwhile in another match, Salgaocar FC Juniors put up a strong display to beat Curtorim Gymkhana 2-1 at Ambelim ground.

Curtorim took the lead in 13th minute through Aliston Fernandes.

While Salgaocar FC made it all square through Fhezer Gomes and then scored the match-winner through Aaron Rodrigues.